Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
“You win with players, not picks,” one assistant GM told CSNNE.com. “Boston has lots of picks and some good players. But there’s not a great player on that roster. And the players you (media) guys keep writing and talking about that they’re interested in, are great players. [Celtics president Danny Ainge] will tell you, it’s not easy making trades. And when it comes to great players, it’s even harder to acquire them no matter how many picks you offer up.”
The consensus among league executives spoken to by CSNNE.com is that the most likely trade for Boston will be one in which they wind up with Philadelphia’s Jahlil Okafor.
“From the moment Philly drafted Ben [Simmons], everyone around the league knew that they would have to trade a big, either Okafor or Nerlens [Noels],” an NBA scout told CSNNE.com. “Okafor is the better scorer; it’s not even close really. But Nerlens has that ability to run the floor and can protect the rim. Those two qualities . . . you can’t have enough guys in the frontcourt who call those two skills, strengths. That’s why Okafor is the more expendable player.”
Just make the deal Danny because, quite frankly, I’m sick of this god damn rumor. I kid…
Most of us are expecting a bigger fish. You know, Russell Westbrook, Jimmy Butler or DeMarcus Cousins. But what if we have to wait until next summer to get that guy? (Yes, I’m preaching patience)
In the meantime, adding a guy like Okafor to this roster will improve this team. I realize the key to this trade is what we have to give up but I think we all have faith in Danny Ainge to do it right (a non-Brooklyn 1st rounder and Terry Rozier?) pull off a fair deal. Twitter needs to stop acting like Okafor is a bag of crap.
The Sixers can act patient but they do not want to go into the season trying to find minutes for Okafor, Embiid and Noel. If Okafor ends up being the odd man out and starts grumbling, his value will only decrease.
The financial risk is minimal. JO gets $4 million this year with a $4 million team option for next year. His fourth year option will also be dirt cheap.
Let’s say Okafor comes here for a season and puts up decent numbers on a good team. That doesn’t mean he’s here to stay… he’s just another chip in a potential deal for one of the guys listed above.
Just a thought…
Related: Yahoo – OKC rescinds Waiters off, looks to extend Westbrook?
On Page 2, Tom Brady nearly distracted Kevin Durant into signing with Boston.
“I was ready to just say, ‘OK, let’s go,'” said Durant, suggesting Brady’s presence might have instantly made the Celtics an attractive option. “Just seeing someone so successful at his craft. He’s a great ambassador for the game of football and the city of Boston. It’s great to be in the presence of such greatness. But at the same time, I knew I couldn’t let that distract me.”
Asked what else made Boston an intriguing destination, Durant said, “I just liked the way they play. I liked their coach [Brad Stevens]. I thought they had some good people.”
Who wouldn’t be distracted by Tom Brady?
Durant went on to say he chose Golden State because that’s where he wanted to play. He wasn’t concerned with legacy, reaction, etc.
Good for him. I guess.
And finally… is KG finished?
As he has done for most of his career, Garnett, who turned 40 in May, has gone off the official grid and even has the Timberwolves’ honchos guessing. Tom Thibodeau, Minnesota’s new coach and president of basketball operations, has spoken to the 7-foot power forward since being hired after the season but has not gotten a definitive answer. The same goes for owner Glen Taylor, who said Wednesday in Las Vegas he had dinner with Garnett about a month ago.
“I just asked him, ‘Kevin, what are you going to do?’ His answer was, ‘I’d really like to play next year ‘cuz I’d like to go out knowing we got into the playoffs,’ ” Taylor said.
“Then he said, ‘I don’t know if I can.’
“I asked him, ‘What does that mean?’ And he said, ‘I don’t know.’
I want KG to play another season just so I can see him back at the Garden one more time. But riding off into the sunset with Kobe and Tim Duncan seems appropriate.
